A/N. I only got one review for the last chapter! I know it wasn't the best in the world, but that upset me a bit.
Anyway, this is the last chapter of Finding Her Place. I cannot believe we've finally got here and I want to say a huge thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed. Your response has been amazing and without you I wouldn't have got this far.
Also, a sequel called Their Destiny will be up in about a week. Please look out for it if you're interested.
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Chapter 20 – Three months later"Duck!"
Phoebe swooped low as the energy ball whizzed past her. It struck the wall behind her and singed the dark brown wood.
Across the attic, Prue's chin dropped onto her chest and a ruby red flare flashed behind the Nark Demon. Astral Prue kicked forcefully into the abnormally tall demon's back and he stumbled forward. Using this to her advantage, the eldest witch delivered a strong roundhouse kick to her opponent's cheek. He finally fell down and Astral Prue returned to her body.
Phoebe chucked a vial of lime green potion at the Nark Demon and it connected, sending fire across the attic. The flames licked at the sisters' skin, leaving a warm sensation behind as it withdrew.
"Phew," Prue sighed, joining her youngest sister. "That was harder than I expected."
"Definitely," Phoebe agreed.
"Prue, Phoebe. What re you doing?" Penny asked, sweeping into the room.
"Vanquishing the last soul-stealing demon on Piper's list," Prue replied.
"Yep, Lexy's Wiccaning should go without a hitch," Phoebe added. "No more evil creatures to threaten our ancestor's souls."
"Good job girls," Penny praised. "We want everything to be perfect."
"Not as much as Piper," Phoebe grumbled. During the past week, Piper had been driving everyone slightly crazy with her obsession of wanting that day to go without a flaw.
"Can you blame her?" Prue asked. "It's a special day for Lexy. A day when she's welcomed into our family and witchcraft properly."
As she nodded in agreement, Phoebe felt a bubble of excitement rise up in her chest. She was going to meet all the matriarchs of her family line!
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"Oh! Doesn't she look a picture?" Penny gushed a few hours later, admiring her great granddaughter.
The three-month-old baby wore a traditional white, flowing gown that had been passed down the generations. A pale pink ribbon had been secured in her tuft of soft brown hair.
"Picture!" Prue cried, grabbing her camera off Piper's bed and snapping away.
"My Ladybug had to look special for her big day," Piper explained.
"Ah, I remember your mother and sisters wearing that gown," Penny sighed dreamily.
Piper shifted Lexy to her hip and frowned slightly. It had never occurred to her to ask about her Wiccaning. She didn't even know if she'd had one. "Did – did I have a Wiccaning?"
"Of course you did sweetie."
Piper's heart thudded at the voice. She hadn't heard it in so long, and yet it was as familiar to her as her own. Could it really be her? Piper twisted around slowly, afraid that if she moved too fast, the dream would fade. "Mom? Dad?"
"Oh, Piper," Sarah Jones breathed. She couldn't believe how much her daughter had changed in the months they had been separated.
"Wh- how?" Piper stuttered. She clutched Lexy closer, not sure if she was dreaming.
Unnoticed by anyone, Penny and Prue slipped from Piper's bedroom.
"The Elders sent us down," Nathan explained. "Juts for today."
"But you're not glowing. Ghosts glow," Piper choked out.
"We're not ghosts. Today we're simply your parents."
Piper let out a sob as realisation hit her. They really were her mom and dad. Her parents were standing in her bedroom as real people. She set Lexy down and flew at her parents, hugging them close. "I can't believe you're here."
"We wouldn't miss our granddaughter's Wiccaning for the world," Sarah told her as they broke apart.
"Now let us see our granddaughter!" Nathan cried.
Piper laughed happily and scooped up her daughter, who was gazing with interest at the two new people. "Look Ladybug, it's Nana and Granddad."
"Nana?" Sarah repeated.
"You always wanted to be Nana, right?"
Sarah nodded and beamed as Piper handed Lexy over. "Oh sweetheart, she's gorgeous."
"A treasure," Nathan agreed. "And so much like you at that age."
"I've seen photos." Tears welled again in Piper's eyes. Ever since her parents' death, she had been dreaming of the moment they would meet her baby.
"What's her name?" Sarah wondered, bouncing the baby up and down gently.
"Alexandra Sarah, after you."
"After me?" Sarah's eyes sparkled with pleasure. "Thank you sweetie, that's lovely."
Piper grinned, glad her mother like the notion.
The bedroom door burst open and a haggard looking Leo stepped in. "Piper…" He stopped as soon as he noticed the other people in the room.
"Leo, these are my parents, Sarah and Nathan. Mom, Dad, this is Leo, my boyfriend."
"Pleased to meet you," Nathan said politely, shaking the whitelighter's hand.
"It's a pleasure." Sarah drew Leo into a one armed hug.
"Likewise. I've heard so much about you." Leo shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but Piper I really think you should come downstairs."
"Okay. Could you stay up here with Lexy? I'll be back as soon as I can." Piper took Leo's hand and let him drag her down the stairs. "What is it?"
"There's someone at the door." Leo pulled Piper into the living room.
As Piper's gaze swept across the room, her eyes fell on the person she least wanted to see. "Dan!"
"Hello Piper."
"Piper, who is this?" Phoebe, who had answered the door, asked.
"This-this is Lexy's father." Piper couldn't take it all in. First the wonderful surprise of seeing her parents again and now the terrible shock of finding Dan in her living room.
"What?" Leo's fists clenched and he glared at Dan. "The jerk who left you as soon as he found out who you were?"
"Hey! Who are you calling a jerk?" Dan took a threatening step forward.
"You." Leo also moved forward.
"Whoa! Time out." Piper flicked her wrists and the testosterone-fuelled males became motionless. The middle Charmed One began pacing and rubbing her temples.
"Are you okay?" Phoebe asked sympathetically.
"Peachy," Piper snapped sarcastically. "My ex boyfriend; my first love and the father of my child, is standing in my living room!" A vase in the corner shattered.
"I think that vase would disagree," Phoebe quipped. "My don't you un-freeze them and we'll get rid of him."
Piper sighed tersely and gestured with her hand.
Phoebe quickly stepped in between Dan and Leo. "I think you should leave," she told the greasy-haired mortal.
"Piper and I have things to talk about."
"Maybe Piper doesn't want to talk to you," Leo shot back.
"And who are you exactly?" Dan demanded.
"He's my boyfriend," Piper replied. 'Hah, that shut him up.'
"Piper please." Dan's eyes bore right into Piper's. "I want to explain."
How could Piper say no? She had to build a relationship with Dan for Lexy's sake. Even if she didn't want to. "Fine."
"What?"
"Phoebe, Leo, can you please give us five minutes?"
Phoebe nodded and left the room reluctantly.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." Leo kissed Piper's forehead and followed Phoebe.
"I'm so sorry if I hurt you," Dan began.
"Of course you hurt me!" Piper cried. "I loved you."
"And I loved you."
"Then why?"
"Because I couldn't cope, Piper."
"With what? The fact that I had powers, or that I was pregnant?"
"Both," Dan admitted sheepishly. "I was only eighteen, and you drop these huge bombshells on me. I didn't know how to react, how to feel."
"So you left me to bring up our baby alone? I was scared, Dan. More scared than I'd ever been. I needed you."
"I know, and I'll regret leaving you for the rest of my life. I loved you, but I wasn't ready to be a father and I didn't know how to love a witch. I hope you can forgive me."
"I'll never forgive you, Dan," Piper spat. "You broke my heart."
"I'm so, so sorry."
"It's too late now." Piper wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't need Dan. She had Leo, Lexy, her sisters and Penny. "Do you want to see our daughter?"
"D-daughter?"
"Alexandra. She's gorgeous." Why was Piper telling him this? If he was really interested, he would've came over sooner.
"I-I can't," Dan told her. "I've got a plane to catch. I'm moving to New York."
Why wasn't Piper shocked by the news? Maybe a year ago she would've done, but now she knew the real Dan; how cold he could be, how little he cared for her. "So you really don't care."
"I'm sorry."
"So you've said."
Dan moved past his ex-girlfriend, into the foyer. "Goodbye Piper."
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An hour later, the whole family was assembled in the attic. Penny stood in front of Piper and Leo, holding Lexy, while Prue, Phoebe, Sarah and Nathan watched from further back.
I call forth from space and time,
Matriarchs from the Halliwell line,
Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends,
Our family's spirit without end,
To gather now in this sacred place,
And help us bring this baby to grace.
As Penny finished chanting the summoning spell, flurries of golden orbs appeared, transforming into the spirits of dead ancestors. The oldest Halliwell turned towards the ghosts.
"The next generation has been born into our family, our legacy. We pledge to be with this baby, this beautiful girl, always. Apart but never separate, free but never alone. She is part of us, and because of this, we will bless her with all the goodness that we are. Welcome to the family, Alexandra Sarah Halliwell. Blessed Be."
"Blessed Be," the spirits echoed, along with the Charmed Ones and Leo.
Piper beamed with pride as she scooped up her baby, surrounded by the love of her life, her parents and her biological family. She had finally found her place.
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A/N. Once again, thank you for reading this story. Please check out the sequel, Their Destiny.